New Guy Looking For Input

[Clambo]

Hi Guys,

I wanted to introduce myself, as this is my first post on this forum. I have a lot of shooting and reloading experience, but I haven't shot or loaded any shells in over 10 years. A lot has changed since then ! I've always followed the Handi Rifle posts, always wanted one as I always enjoyed my old Topper .30-30. I think now is the time to finally buy my first Handi Rifle....

Here is my dilemma...I love big bores....my deer hunting is at short range, a long shot would be 150 yds, max. I want either a .500 Smith or .450 Marlin and I just can't make a decision. Either has FAR more power than I'll ever need....but I just love the way a big old chunk of lead tends to drop those bucks in their tracks. Which caliber do I buy ? I'm not set up to load my own right now, so...I am gonna have to go with factory ammo.

Also, scopes have changed a bunch since my time. I always used to use Weavers...cuz they worked for me and I could afford them. Now there are a ton of makers I dont even recognize let alone know anything about. Who makes a decent quality 4x scope that would work well on a bigbore Handi.....preferably one a workingman could afford ? Yeah, hehe, I checked out a Nightforce today at the Sportsman's show in Portland.....nice glass but it costs more than I bring home in a month ! Can a good 4x scope be had for say.....$200 or less ? My eyes aint what they used to be !

Thank You,

Clambo

[georgeld]

Welcome to GBO.

Try Simmons, they're reasonably priced and tops in warranty.

El cheapo's now days yet still decent and good on warranty  too.
are the:  BSA's.  I've had about three so far, one was bad and they
replaced it right quick. less than a week.

Some like Tasco, long time ago watched my uncle get whacked by one
that didn't have any eye relief. Think they've corrected that part and they're
 decent quality I've been told.  Just recently got my first one for a HMR. Seems good
and has decent e/r.  I won't have one on a high power though, just because of that.
I've never been 'ringed' yet and don't intend to. Too old for that crap now.

You'll need to wear diapers when you go shopping for "That" ammo!! Go with .45 Colt.
much cheaper, lots of it around and more than enough knock 'em down for that range.

Good luck,
George

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard to a fellow Pacific Northwesterner!!    If you're gonna handload, no sense in the 450M, it's not available in rifle form anyway, just as an accessory barrel, just go for the 45-70 or 500 in a rifle and get the other barrel, or heck, get both of the others, just decide whatcha want first!! The 450M only has an advantage if you're hindered by factory ammo, handloaded they're ballistic twins in levergun data, get into ruger data and the 45-70 walks away. If you get the 500 and stick with factory ammo, better get a second job, or expedite the handloading process, that stuff ain't cheap!!

If you want a reasonable working man's scope for the any of them, see the 45-70 scope link in the FAQs and Help sticky,(spend some time in there, lots of your quesitons will be answered) lots of choices, the 1½-4½x32 Bushnell Banner is at the head of the pack for a working man's scope, reasonably priced and well suited for the task.

Another scope is the Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32, I have one on my 500 S&W, great scope for a bit more than the Banner.

Tim

[Clambo]

Well, I think I've made up my mind and going to order the .500 S&W. I did some ammo shopping today and yeah, ouch is the word ! Unfortunately I do not reload anymore. I would but I have no equipment. This may have to change soon. I wish they had a Lee loader for it.... That would make it cheap and easy !

Since they do not....can someone reccomend a bullet weight and load commercially available that prints well in this rifle/caliber combination ? I really could care less about velocity or bullet weight as any combination there is would still be overkill for 100 lb. blacktails at 100 yds or less. May as well concentrate on accuracy.

Man I gotta get me a press ! As I write this I am already wanting to try those 700 grain babies !

Thanks,

Clambo

[ZX11]

Hi First off Welcome to the best NEF site on the net! IMO Let me say I'm new to handi's and scopes also,I'm 50 and always had a passion for Handguns. My son is a prison guard at a Federal prison and is on the swat team,Which sparked my interest in rifles. I bought a 270 and a 7mm08 handi which I just love. Then I bought a Used Tasco Golden Antler scope with rings from a local gun shop for $25.00 , I thought I got a good Till my son told me He thinks a New one is only about $10.00 more. So much for dad's good deals. I then bought 2 half box's of reloaded shells I don't even know what they are cheap just to shot the handi's As far as mounting a scope the only thing I know is you put it on and tighten it down. I shot 2 shots out of the 270 at a 4 by 4 post which was 168 yards walked off with a GPS out of my bedroom window with the four end resting on window sill 2 hits about 3" apart I than took the scope off and put it on the 7mm08 Same shot same thing 2 hits about 3" apart!! I called my son to tell him and he said I'm NUT's Never happen just throwing a cheap scope on with unknown reloads!! When he did come out to the house to vist I showed him the post<PRICELESS>

[quickdtoo]

This article by John Taffin may help with the factory ammo for the 500, and I'm sure some of those that shoot factory stuff will make recommendations, and there's always the search feature.  Of course, for not much more that a couple boxes of the 500 ammo, you could be well into reloading for it too. 

Tim

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_1_53/ai_n16866654

[1 id dog]

 Hello Mr Clambo, Welcome to the best sight on the net for the outdoors man. This year I kinda received a 500 handi for Christmas after I picked it out. I've had some trouble with out of the box accuracy but that could be ammo or just about anything. I bought the only 3 boxes of ammo my dealer had and it was all the same brand. Working a public job and running a beef cattle farm takes more daylight time than I have to share with jobs and family. I'll have a lull between feeding season and planting season soon and have large plans for my 500 then.(kinda sorta already started) I'd really love to get this thing to performing the way I want it to. I plan on taking off a lot more this fall and get in a lot more stand time if possible. It appears that reloading is a must for this caliber. Then you can do a lot more with it for a whole lot less. Get ready for some big recoil though, it'll kick like a mule. Just be sure to get a lot of eye relief on that scope. I borrowed a old simmons whitetail classic from another gun until I decided what to put on mine and it works pretty good. I did get to shoot a whitetail deer with mine and the results at 65-75 yds. was just plain cruel, granted it probably didn't feel a thing though! Wish You the absolute best in your project!

[Foggy]

Get the Mac daddy of Big Bores a 45-70 And Welcome

[poncaguy]

K4 Weaver is a great scope and less than $130.......I love the 45-70...........very accurate in a Handi...........

[zombiewolf]

Welcome, Clambo.


Here's my input ...............BUY THE 45-70 !!!!


It might just be Handi's best barrel.

Sorry, no thoughts on scopes, I'm an iron sight guy. The factory weaver sights are just fine for me.

[quickdtoo]

The factory weaver sights are just fine for me.

Weaver, eh?? I guess Williams starting with a W too, could be confusing to some!! 

Tim

[zombiewolf]

Yes,Williams......

Its been a long day gimme a break will ya....

[McLernon]

Everybody needs at least two 45-70's. I thinks it's kind of a rule or----- maybe it's just a guide-line.

Mc